Oakland Athletics' Jack Cust, right, is congratulated by third base coach Tye Waller after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) less

Oakland Athletics' Jack Cust, right, is congratulated by third base coach Tye Waller after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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Oakland Athletics starter Sean Gallagher pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Oakland Athletics starter Sean Gallagher pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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** CORRECTS DAY OF WEEK TO WEDNESDAY ** Oakland Athletics second baseman Eric Patterson catches a hopping grounder hit by Detroit Tigers' Ramon Santiago in the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. Santiago was out on the play. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) less

** CORRECTS DAY OF WEEK TO WEDNESDAY ** Oakland Athletics second baseman Eric Patterson catches a hopping grounder hit by Detroit Tigers' Ramon Santiago in the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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Oakland Athletics' Jack Cust hits a solo home run off of Detroit Tigers' Armando Galarraga in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. The Athletics beat the Tigers 5-2. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) less

Oakland Athletics' Jack Cust hits a solo home run off of Detroit Tigers' Armando Galarraga in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. The Athletics beat the Tigers 5-2. (AP ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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Detroit Tigers starter Armando Galarraga, left, walks the mound after giving up a solo home run to Oakland Athletics' Jack Cust, right, in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. Galarraga (12-6) allowed five runs and eight hits in four innings. The Athletics beat the Tigers 5-2. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) less

Detroit Tigers starter Armando Galarraga, left, walks the mound after giving up a solo home run to Oakland Athletics' Jack Cust, right, in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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Detroit Tigers' Ramon Santiago reacts after striking out against Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Gallagher in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. The Tigers lost 5-2. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) less

Detroit Tigers' Ramon Santiago reacts after striking out against Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Gallagher in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. The Tigers lost 5-2. (AP ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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Oakland Athletics' Ryan Sweeney rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off of Detroit Tigers' Armando Galarraga in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2008, in Detroit. The Athletics defeated the Tigers 5-2. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) less

Oakland Athletics' Ryan Sweeney rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off of Detroit Tigers' Armando Galarraga in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2008, in Detroit. The Athletics ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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Detroit Tigers starter Armando Galarraga pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Tigers starter Armando Galarraga pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Photo: Duane Burleson, AP

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A's win in Gallagher's odd return

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Sean Gallagher wasn't sure what to expect in his first start after coming off the disabled list.

He finished with one of the odder pitching lines of this or any season.

Gallagher walked six in four hitless innings, Ryan Sweeney and Jack Cust hit back-to-back homers in the first and the A's beat Detroit 5-2 on Wednesday.

Gallagher, who had been out since Aug. 20 with shoulder fatigue, struck out six and threw 44 of his 88 pitches for strikes.

"It was a little different out there with all those walks and strikeouts and no hits," he said. "I felt good and my arm didn't bother me at all. I missed the plate on a few pitches, but I was able to come back and make quality pitches to get outs."

Gallagher walked the bases loaded in the first and fourth, but got out of both jams. The rookie right-hander struck out Jeff Larish to end the first and got Brandon Inge to fly out to end the fourth.

"He pitched pretty well, but he had to battle his command as you can see from the strange strikeout and walk totals," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "He was able to make his pitches when he needed them - he's going to be one of the good young pitchers in this league."

Fellow rookie starter Armando Galarraga didn't fare quite as well for Detroit. He allowed five runs and eight hits in four innings, extending his winless stretch to four starts.